He ran as a compassionate conservative who said that although he was personally against abortion the public wasn't ready to make it illegal and that he believed the proper approach was to change people's hearts. This is a an approach which appealed to the middle and after 8 years of Clinton follies the conservatives were willing to accept it. I wonder if they'd accept that now.
People didn’t vote for Reagan because he was against abortion or that he believed in God, they voted for Reagan because he had a positive outlook on life, the economy stank and Carter’s foreign policy was humiliating.
You're just out and out wrong about that. Ford lost not just because of Watergate but because of Roe vs. Wade and how he ignored it thus weakening the base's support. Reagan was only the second Republican Candidate to run after Roe vs. Wade became the law of the land. We were begining to not just see but realize the impact of the decision upon our nation.
No way, I respectfully disagree and think you are looking through your own prism. I realize that abortion is a big issue for you and your friends but there's no way Roe was a big deal in that election for most of the country during that election. Ford lost because of Watergate (which we both agree), for pardoning Nixon and for running after he promissed not to run. Abortion was not a big issue in that election even though it may have been a big issue for you.
Me and my friends? I thought you and I were having a discussion?
This is a an approach which appealed to the middle and after 8 years of Clinton follies the conservatives were willing to accept it. I wonder if they'd accept that now.
No, because it was a principled stand based on W's beliefs. He was credible when he talked about it. Romney's not credible considering his record. I believe McCain would wilt under scrutiny just like he did in South Carolina in 2000. Guiliani - to his credit - knows he's not credible but he hasn't even tried to build a bridge - he's burnt the bridge and mined the bridge heads.
Please don't characterize me by other's posts.
Regards,
TS